Towel with detachable pouch and magnetic attachment means

ABSTRACT

A towel system having a removable pouch for containing personal items and means for attaching the towel to a variety of different objects.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/559,760 filed Apr. 5, 2004.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

SEQUENTIAL LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common practice for users of exercise equipment and patrons ofgymnasiums to use a towel for various purposes. Such purposes mayinclude, but are not limited to, wiping perspiration from exerciseequipment or a user's person. Such people may also use the towel as abarrier or cushion between a body part of the person, such as theperson's head, and the exercise equipment or the exercise floor of agymnasium. The purpose of the towel as described above requires that thetowel be close at hand during exercise, however, it is often difficultto find an appropriate location to place the towel while using exerciseequipment. Placing the towel on adjacent exercise equipment mayinconvenience other patrons of the gymnasium and may require the ownerof the towel to interrupt their exercise routine to move the towel.Placing the towel on the floor is undesirable as the floor may be dirtyand the towel may be stepped on by people passing by. Thus, a continuingneed exists for a towel that incorporates a feature to conveniently keepthe towel close at hand while exercising.

Patrons of gymnasiums also frequently wish to have their personalbelongings nearby while exercising. Examples of such personal belongingsmay include, but are not limited to, wallet, keys, gymnasium membershipcards, money, snacks, credit cards, cellular telephones, or otherpersonal items. In addition, much modem exercise equipment automaticallyadjusts certain attributes of the equipment to the user's preferredsettings. For example, modern weight machines might automatically adjustto a user's preferred weight setting or a treadmill might automaticallyadjust the inclination and speed of the treadmill to a user's preferredsettings. The system that facilitates such automatic adjustmentstypically requires the user of the equipment to carry a media devicethat stores certain information about the user and/or the user'spreferred settings. Upon the user's presentation of the media device tothe exercise equipment, the equipment performs the automatic adjustment.The media device of such a system may be embodied in a variety ofdifferent articles such as cards with a magnetic strip, key-like devicesor other such articles. Accordingly, a user of such modem exerciseequipment must carry the media device with them while using suchequipment.

Exercise clothing frequently lacks pockets. Thus, a person who wishes tohave their personal articles close at hand or who uses the type ofautomatically adjusting exercise equipment described above frequently isconfronted with the problem of having to carry one or more items buthaving no place to put such items. Placing such items on the exerciseequipment itself or on the floor nearby is an unsatisfactory solution assuch articles may inconvenience other patrons of the gymnasium or beforgotten, lost, stolen, or stepped on. Thus, there is a continuing needfor a convenient method of keeping small personal articles nearby whileutilizing exercise equipment. One solution to such need presented by theprior art is to incorporate a pocket into an exercise towel. Thissolution, however, is not a wholly satisfactory solution. If the ownerof the towel wishes to use the towel as a barrier or cushion, forexample, while doing sit-ups, stretches, floor exercises, or performingcertain yoga positions, the presence of the pouch limits the amount ofsurface area of the towel which the person may use for such purposes.Furthermore, using the towel for such purposes while the pouch is fullpresents the risk that the user will inadvertently crush, break orotherwise damage the items contained in the pouch or the user may injurethemselves by laying or resting on the pouch. Accordingly, there is acontinuing need for an article that overcomes the foregoing problems.

The towel system presented herein provides a convenient solution to theforegoing problems and offers several additional advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,195 discloses an exercise towel with two differenttypes of magnetic anchoring means and a closable pocket permanentlyattached to the towel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,698 discloses a towel incorporating an internalclosable pocket and a strap to fasten the towel to golf or gymnasiumequipment.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,855 discloses a towel fashioned in one or moreornamental shapes and incorporating a strap to fasten the towel to avariety of different items.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,379 discloses a towel incorporating an internalpocket, a permanently-attached external pocket constructed oftransparent material for holding membership or business cards, a loopfor attaching a hook used to attach the towel to various items, and aninternal lining impervious to moisture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems noted above, and others, are overcome by the presentinvention. One embodiment of the invention consists of a towel whichincorporates a removable magnet to allow the towel to be attached to anyferro-magnetic surface such as the metallic components of many exercisemachines. The magnet may be contained within a pocket on one surface ofthe towel. The interior of the pocket may be readily accessible to allowthe magnet to be removed. Such removal allows the towel to be launderedwithout the presence of the magnet. Further, if the magnetic propertiesof the magnet decrease over time, the magnet may be replaced.

One embodiment of the invention may also incorporate a removable pouchfor holding personal items such as wallet, keys, gymnasium membershipcards, money, snacks, credit cards, cellular telephones, other personalitems, or the media devices used with certain modem exercise equipment.The pouch may be closable to securely contain such items. The pouch maybe closeable by any known means such as zipper means, hook and loopfastener means such as those marketed under the Velcro® trademark, oneor more buttons, or one or more snaps.

The pouch may be removably attached to the towel by a variety of meanssuch as hook and loop fastener means, one or more snaps, or other knownmeans. Alternatively, the pouch may be clipped onto the edge of thetowel by inserting the edge of the towel into a U-shaped clip secured tothe pouch. The towel and the pouch are held together by the frictionalcontact of the towel with the interior surfaces of the clip. Securingthe pouch to the towel by way of a clip offers the additional advantagethat the clip may be clipped on to a variety of other items such as, forexample, a belt for convenient carrying of the pouch.

The removability of the pouch is particularly advantageous for at leastthree reasons. First, if the owner of the towel wishes to use the towelas a barrier or cushion for such activities as sit-ups, stretches, floorexercises, or performing certain yoga positions, removal of the pouchallows the entire surface area of the towel to be used for such apurpose and avoids the possibility of inadvertently crushing, breakingor otherwise damaging the contents of the pouch. Second, if the owner ofthe towel wishes to visit a place of business before, after or duringexercise but does not wish to bring the towel, the owner may simplycarry the pouch and its contents into the place of business to haveaccess to the contents such as a wallet or credit card while leaving thetowel at a convenient and discrete location such as the owner's car.Finally, removal of the pouch makes laundering of the towel easier andavoids any damage that such laundering may do to the pouch and anycontents of the pouch inadvertently left within the pouch.

The interior of the pouch may be divided into one or more compartmentsspecifically designed to hold certain articles such as credit orgymnasium membership cards, cell phones, glasses, or keys. Such internaldivision of the pouch minimizes the possibility of the contents of thepouch damaging each other. For example, an internal divider may separatea set of keys from a pair of glasses thereby preventing the keys fromscratching the glasses. Reinforcing material may be incorporated intothe pouch to minimize the chances of the articles within the pouch beingcrushed, broken or damaged.

The towel and the pouch may be of any size depending on the requirementsof the user of the invention. For example, a relatively large towel witha removable pouch may be particularly useful for sunbathing at the beachor in the park. If the user of the towel wishes to purchase a colddrink, for example, the user may take the detachable pouch containingthe user's valuable personal items and money to purchase the drink whileleaving the towel to indicate to others who may be present that someoneis occupying that spot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the inventionshowing the invention attached to a piece of exercise equipment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention showingthe pouch partially detached from the towel;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one embodiment of theinvention showing a magnet and one method of incorporating the magnet inthe invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the inventionbeing used as a cushion or barrier during rest or exercise;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one embodiment of theinvention showing the spatial relationship between the magnet, the toweland the removable pouch;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, a towel 10 is shown having, in the preferredembodiment shown, a generally rectangular shape, however, the towel maybe of any shape. Pocket 12 for containing magnet 14 is located on oneface of towel 10. As shown in FIG. 3, pocket 12 preferably allows magnet14 to be removed. This may be accomplished by permanently securing threesides of pocket 12 to the towel surface and leaving a fourth side ofpocket 12 unsecured. Preferably means are provided to temporarily closethe fourth side of pocket 12 to assist in containing the magnet. Anyknown closing means such as a hook and loop fastener 16 as shown in FIG.6, a zipper (not shown), one or more snaps (not shown), or one or morebuttons (not shown) may be used to temporarily close pocket 12. Suchclosing means may be configured in a variety of different ways. Forexample, rather than the “tab” style hook and loop fastener system 16, ahook and loop fastener means may be incorporated into the internal faceof pocket 12 whereby the hook and loop portions span the width of theunsecured side of pocket 12. In such a configuration, the size of pocket12 should be increased to accommodate both magnet 14 and the internalhook and loop fastener system. Preferably, pocket 12 is located towardthe perimeter of towel 10 and the unsecured side of pocket 12 is locatedfacing toward the perimeter of the towel reducing the likelihood thatmagnet 14 will fall out of pocket 12 in the event that the owner oftowel 10 forgets to secure magnet 14 within pocket 12 with closure means16. One reasonably skilled in the art will appreciate that pocket 12 maybe configured in a variety of different shapes, configurations, andorientations without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention.

During laundering of the towel, magnet 14 may be removed as shown inFIG. 3. Further, if the magnetic properties of magnet 14 decrease overtime, magnet 14 may be replaced with a new magnet.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a removable pouch 18 is attached preferablyto the surface of the towel opposite the surface to which pocket 12 isattached. As shown in FIG. 2, the attachment point of pouch 18preferably is proximate the location of pocket 12 so that when pouch 18is filled with personal belongings 20 as shown in FIG. 5 and towel 10 isattached to a ferro-magnetic surface 22 by magnet 14 in pocket 12 asshown in FIG. 1, the center of gravity of pouch 18 is adjacent theattachment point of the towel system to surface 22 thus reducing thetendency of the pouch 18 to produce pendulum-like qualities in the towelsystem and reducing pivoting about the attachment point of the towelsystem to surface 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, pouch 18 preferably is secured to towel 10 by a hookand loop fastener system made up of a hook portion 24 and a loop portion26. Preferably, hook portion 24 is located on pouch 18 and loop portion26 is located on towel 10. Thus, when pouch 18 is removed from towel 10,such as when a user wishes to use towel 10 as a cushion or barrier asshown in FIG. 4, only the soft loop portion 26 is present on the towel,as opposed to the rough hook portion 24. This is desirable to avoid thepotential for the rough hook portion 26 to scratch or graze a user ofthe towel. In addition, it avoids the potential of the hook portion 26to adhere to other articles of clothing during laundering of the towel.One reasonably skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety ofother means may be used to attach pouch 18 to towel 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, pouch 18 preferably is closable to allow a user tosecurely contain their personal belongings 20. In FIG. 5, the closingmechanism for pouch 18 is shown as a zipper 28, however, any knownclosing mechanism may be used such as a hook and loop fastener system,one or more snaps, or one or more buttons.

The surface of pouch 18 may be adorned with graphics by any known meanssuch as embroidery, silk screening, heat transfer printing or directprinting. Further, the surface of towel 10 may be similarly adorned withgraphics by any known means. Such graphics may be used to enhance thedesirability of owning the towel system or may allow the towel system tobe used as an advertising and promotional item.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with referenceto certain particular materials, attachment means, closure means, andother specified features, such descriptions and illustrations are notintended to be and should not be taken in a limiting sense. Onereasonably skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety ofadditions, substitutions, omissions, and modifications may be made tothe invention without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. For example, towel 10 may be of any size and may be intendedfor any use such as a full sized towel for use at the beach or the park.Further, pouch 18 may be of any size, may be provided with internaldividers to organize and protect a user's personal belongings, and maybe provided with reinforcing material to prevent the contents of pouch18 from being inadvertently crushed, broken or otherwise damaged.Further, alternative means of attaching the towel system to a variety ofobjects may be provided such as a strap. Further, alternative means ofattaching pouch 18 to towel 10 may be provided. All such modifications,additions, omissions and substitutions are considered to be within thescope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention isintended to be defined only by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

1. A towel system comprising: a towel; a pouch adapted to receive andtemporarily contain personal effects; and means for temporarilyattaching said pouch to said towel.
 2. The towel system according toclaim 1 wherein said means for temporarily attaching said pouchcomprises a hook and loop fastener system with a hook portion and a loopportion.
 3. The towel system according to claim 2 wherein said hookportion of said hook and loop fastener system attached to said pouch andsaid loop portion of said hook and loop fastener system is attached tosaid towel.
 4. The towel system according to claim 1 wherein said meansfor temporarily attaching said pouch are selected from the groupconsisting of a zipper, a hook and loop fastener system or one or moresnaps.
 5. The towel system according to claim 1 further including adisplay area on said pouch whereby the surface of said pouch may beadorned with graphics or indicia by any known means.
 6. The towel systemaccording to claim 1 further comprising a magnet attached to said towelto allow said towel to be attached to any ferro-magnetic surface.
 7. Thetowel system according to claim 6 further including a pocket to containsaid magnet wherein said pocket is permanently secured on three sides tothe towel surface leaving a fourth side unsecured allowing said magnetto be removed.
 8. The towel system according to claim 7 furtherincluding means for temporarily closing said fourth side of said pocketto assist in containing the magnet.
 9. The towel system according toclaim 8 wherein said pocket is located proximate an edge of said toweland the unsecured side of said pocket is located facing said edge ofsaid towel.
 10. The towel system according to claim 6 wherein saidmagnet is located proximate the location of attachment of said removablepouch whereby the center of gravity of said pouch is adjacent to theattachment point of the towel system.
 11. The towel system according toclaim 7 wherein said pocket is located proximate the location ofattachment of said removable pouch whereby the center of gravity of saidpouch is adjacent to the attachment point of the towel system.
 12. Thetowel system according to claim 8 wherein said pocket is locatedproximate the location of attachment of said removable pouch whereby thecenter of gravity of said pouch is adjacent to the attachment point ofthe towel system.
 13. The towel system according to claim 9 wherein saidpocket is located proximate the location of attachment of said removablepouch whereby the center of gravity of said pouch is adjacent to theattachment point of the towel system.
 14. A towel system comprising: atowel; a pouch adapted to receive and temporarily contain personaleffects; and at least one U-shaped clip attached to said pouch andadapted to temporarily receive and retain an edge of said towel.
 15. Thetowel system according to claim 14 further comprising a magnet attachedto said towel to allow said towel to be attached to any ferro-magneticsurface.
 16. The towel system according to claim 15 further including apocket to contain said magnet wherein said pocket is permanently securedon three sides to the towel surface leaving a fourth side unsecuredallowing said magnet to be removed.
 17. The towel system according toclaim 16 wherein said pocket is located proximate an edge of said toweland the unsecured side of said pocket is located facing said edge ofsaid towel.
 18. The towel system according to claim 15 wherein saidmagnet is located proximate an edge of said towel.
 19. The towel systemaccording to claim 16 wherein said pocket is located proximate and edgeof said towel.